Fishhook and snell holder and guard



Aug. 2s, 1956 A. c. PAUL 2,760,296

FISHHOOK AND SNELL HOLDER AND GUARD Filed Oct. 26, 1951 INVENTOR.

ALLEN C. FAU L ATTORNEY United States Patent FISHHOOK AND SNELL HOLDER AND GUARD Allen C. Faul, Springfield, Pa., assignor of one-half to Marshall I. Grol, Cynwyd, Pa.

Application October 26, 1951, Serial No. 253,254

7 Claims. (Cl. 43-57.5)

This invention relates to a holder and guard for fishhooks with snells attached.

Among the principal objects of the invention is the provision of means capable of maintaining a plurality f ishhooks with snells attached in such position as to avoid entanglement each other; which can readily accommodate iishhooks of different sizes with snells of different lengths, as may be desired, at one and the same time; which can be stowed in a minimum space in a tackle box or the like; which provides protection for the hooks and snells against damage from or snapping with other gearand the like; which facilitates handling and placement of hooks and snells and their independent selection and removal for use; which makes provision for the circulation of air to facilitate drying after use; and which is durable, and water and corrosion resistant, yet simple and inexpensive in design and construction.

Other and further objects will be apparent from the annexed drawing and following description.

In the drawing:

Figure l is a plan view7 looking down from the top, of a holder embodying the features of this invention, in fully extended position, with fishhooks and snells illustratively placed;

Figure 2 is a sectional view along line 2 2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a side elevation multiple view in reduced scale illustrating the folding action of the holder;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the holder withA associated iishhooks and snells, in folded position; and

Figure 5 is a partial plan view of a modified form of the holder.

The holder illustrated is preferably madeentirely ofV a single plastic material, although any other suitable material or materials can be used. Its main parts comprise two complementary open framework members a and 1Gb of generally rectangular shape, with member 10a being provided with sides formed of rectangularly shaped portions 11a and 11a' and an end formed of' a rectangularly shaped portion 12a, and with member 10b being similarly provided with sides formed of rectangularly shaped portions 11b and 11b' and an end formed of a rectangularly shaped portion 12b, members 10a and 10b being open at the ends opposite end portions 12a and 12b respectively. Members 10a and 10b are pivotally assembled to each other at their open ends by means of pivot pin 13.

Side portions 11a and 11a terminate atthe open end of member 19a in integral arcuately shaped projections 14a' and 14a', of equal radii, the centers of whichV are in line with the bottom edges of the remainders of side por.- tions 11a and 11a' respectively. Projections 14a'and 14a' are substantially half the thickness of the remainders of side portions 11a and 11a with their external surfaces ush with and forming continuations of the external side surfaces of thel remainders of side portions 11a and 11a respectively, and with their internal surfaces parallel to their external surfaces and lying in the planes of the center lines of the edges of the remainders of side portions IIa and 11a respectively; Similarly, side portions 11b and 11b terminate at the open end of member 10b in integral arcuately shaped projections 14b and 14b of the same radius as projections 14a and'14a' the centers of which are inline with the bottom edges of theremainders of side portions 11b and 11b' respectively. Projections 14b and 14b are substantially half the thicknessV of the remainders of side portions 11b and 11b' with their internal surfaces flush with and forming continuations of the internal side surfaces of the remainders of side portions 11b and 11b respectively, and with their external surfaces parallel to their internal surfaces and lying in the planes of the center lines of the edges of the remainders of side portions 11b and 11b. Projections 14a and 14a and 14b and 14b are so positioned as to be adapted to the insertion of pivot pin 13 through holes 13a and 13a and 13b and 13b' provided in projections 14a and 14a and 14b and 14b respectively for that purpose and so that in assembly projections 14a and 14a' are respectively in overlapping and abutting contact relationship with projections 14h and 14b, the external surfaces of projections 14a and 14a thereby becoming flush with and forming continuations of the external side surfaces of side portions 11b and 11b', and the internal surfaces of projections 14b and 14b' therebv becoming flush with and forming continuations of the internal side surfaces of side portions 11a and 11a', with terminal portions 15a and 15a of the side portions 11a and 11a' of member 10u acting cooperatively with terminal portions 15b and 15b of the side portions 11b and 11b of member 10b as a stop against further rotation of members 10a and 10b about pivot pin 13 when the fully extended position of such members, as illustrated in Figures l and 2, is reached, and so that upon closing the holder into the position illustrated in Figure 4 the bottom edges of side portions 11a and 11a of member 10a will come evenly into contact with the bottom edges of side portions 11b and 11b of member 10b respectively throughout their lengths. 1

In construction, members 10av and 10bare preferably each molded integrally asa unit. However, if desired, theirside portions 11a and 11a and 11b and 11b and their end portions 12a and 12b can bemade separately andV assembled by use of a suitable adhesive or otherwise;

Positioned near the closed end of member 10a with its longitudinal axis parallel to but spaced from end portion 12a thereof is substantially ilat member 16 extending lengthwise throughout the width of member 10a and containing a plurality of alternately spaced notches 17 and projections 18 along one edge throughout its length, with projections 18 directedl generally toward end portion 12a. The ends of member 16 are attached to side portions 11a and 11a respectively by anY adhesiveor other suitable means, or member 16 may, if desired, be molded integrally with member 10a. The transverse axis of member 16 is located at such an angle tothe longitudinal axis of member 10a as will avoid sharp kinks in the loops of the snells and` yet also avoid any tendency for the loops to slip off projections 1S, as illustrated in Figure 2, and as will be more fully appreciated from the following description of the use of the holder.

Positioned near the closed end of member 10b with its longitudinal axis parallel to but spaced from end portion 12b thereof is substantially fiat member 19 extending lengthwise throughout the width of member 10b and containing a plurality of alternately spaced cuts or slots 20 and projections 21 along one edge throughout its length, with projections 21 directed generally toward end portion 12b, the openends 22 of slots 20 similarly facing end portion 12b, and slots 20 terminating at their opposite ends in circularly shaped holes 23, adapted for the insertion and retention of rubber or elastic bands or other resilientl means 24, said' member 19 and slots 20 and holes 23 and projections 21 being positioned for cooperative relationship in the assembly with member 16 and notches 17 and projections 18, as will be more fully appreciated from the following description of the use of the holder. The ends of member 19 are attached to side portions 11b and 11b' respectively by an adhesive or other suitable means, or member 19 may, if desired, be molded integrally with member b. Positioned around projections 21 and in holes 23 are rubber or elastic bands or other resilient means 24 of such various lengths and in such numbers as may be desired in the use of the holder, as will be more evident from the following description of the use of the holder.

Dimensions of the various parts of the holder are flexible and are dependenton the number, sizes and lengths of shhooks and snells desired to be accommodated, as well as upon the available storage space. Side portions lla and 11a and 11b and 11b should preferably have a width sufficient to provide adequate protection for the hooks and snells and against snagging as will be further evident hereinafter, and end portions 12a and 12b should preferably be of matching width. Pivot pin 13 should have a diameter sufficient to provide a gradually curving surface for the snells to follow when the holder is closed, thereby avoiding sharp kinks therein, and may, if desired, have a smaller diameter at its ends where it is inserted in holes 13a and 13a' and 13b and 13b' in projections 14a and 14a and 14b and 14b than throughout the remainder of its length, and holes 13a and 13a and 13b and 13b may be of correspondingly smaller diameter. Side portions 11a and 11a' and 11b and 11b and end portions 12a and 12b should have a thickness suicient to provide desired structural strength and rigidity.

In use the above described holder is opened to its fully extended position as illustrated in Figures l and 2, by movement of members 10a and 10b relative to each other about pivot pin 13 until further movement is stopped bythe interaction of terminal portions 15a and 15a' and 15b and 15b. Shelled hooks, 25 for illustration, are then installed individually in the holder by slipping the hook points through resilient means 24 of appropriate lengths previously placed over projections 21 of member 19, through slots 20 and into holes 23, and extending the respective snells 26 to enable slipping the loops 27 in the ends thereof over oppositely positioned projections 1S in member 16 and into adjacent notches 17. It will be evident that snells 26 must, in making such installations, be passed across pivot 13 on the side of the holder opposite to that in the direction of closing rotation so that the snelled hooks in the closed holder will assume the positions illustrated in Figure 4. The previously described offset positioning of projections 14a and 14a' and 14h and 14b makes this readily accomplished. It will be further evident that the lengths of resilient means 24 will be selected such that upon installation with particular length snells sutlcient tension will be maintained to keep the snelled hooks moderately taut and substantially in positions similar to those shown. Upon installation of snelled hooks as above, the holder is closed in the manner illustrated in Figure 3 by relative rotation of member 10a and 10b around pivot pin 13 until the holder assumes the closed position illustrated in Figure 4, being then ready for stowing away. Drying of fresh ly used shhooks and snells after installation in the holder is facilitated with the holder in either open or closed position due to its open framework :construction which provides access for the circulation of air. ln closed position, the holder of course occupies a minimum of space in storage. Opening of the holder and selection and removal of snelled hooks is accomplished in reverse fashion and will be apparent without further description.

Pivot pin 13 is preferably madel to t through holes `13b and 13b of side portions 11b and 11b respectively of member 10b with snugness suthcient to provide desired resistance against relative rotation of members 10a and 10b from any relative position in which they are placed. The ends of pivot pin 13 are rigidly aixed to the side portions 11a and 11a' of member 16a at holes 13a and 13a' respectively by an adhesive or other suitable means. Alternatively, holes 13a and 13a can be eliminated entirely or can be run only part way through projections 14a and 14a', terminating short of the eX- ternal side surfaces of side portions 11a and 11a respectively, and pivot pin 13 can be appropriately shortened and its ends similarly affixed either in abutting relationship to side portions 11a and 11a respectively or in partially inserted relationship thereto.

A further feature of the invention embodied in this holder is the tendency of the planes of the bent portions of the hooks to become oriented in a plane substantially parallel to and well within the holder from the planes described by the non-adjacent top outer edges of side portions 11a and 11a and end portion 12a and of side portions 11b and 11b and end portion 12b respectively in the closed position of the holder, with consequent minimizing of any possibility of the hooks becoming snagged with other gear. Such possibility is even further minimized by the position of the pivot pin 13 in relation to members 16 and 19, as described above, which increases the tendency of the hooks to assume positions well within the protective structure of the holder in closed position An alternative construction, shown in Figure 5, modies members 10c and 10d so as to make them identical to each other, prior to the insertion of members 16 and 19. ln facing position for assembly, projection 14C of side portion llc then overlaps projection 14d of side portion 11d externally, and projection 14C of side portion 11C then overlaps projection 14d of side portion 11d internally. Pivot pin 13 may be left free to rotate in hole pair 13e and 13C or hole pair 13d and 13d', and may be prevented from slipping out of assembly by afxing washers 30 to its ends or upsetting the ends as in riveting, or, if desired, a through bolt with suitable collar and nut can be substituted to act as the pivot pin, being assembled in obvious manner. This modification has the advantage of enabling the molding of member 10c and 10d successively in a single mold, eliminating the necessity of different molds for these members.

It will of course be understood that the construction may be varied through a wide range Without departing from the spirit of this invention and it is not the purpose to limit the patent granted hereon otherwise than as necessitated by the scope of the appended claims. v

What is claimed is:

l. A holder for snelled hooks comprising a pivot pin, two open framework members pivotally connected together at one end of each thereby, a cross member near the other end of one of the said framework members provided with a plurality of alternately spaced notches and projections, a cross member near the other end of the other of the said framework members provided with a plurality of alternately spaced yslots and circularly shaped holes in which said slots terminate, and projections, and a plurality of elastic bands positioned in the holes and around the projections of the last mentioned cross member.

2. A holder for snelled hooks comprising a pivot pin; two open framework members pivotally connected together at one end of each thereby, each of said members including side portions and a transverse end portion forming an enclosure, the transverse portion being positioned at the end opposite to the pivoted end, said sides terminating at the pivoted end in arcuately shaped projections with offset centers and associated terminal portions adapted to provide a stop against further relative rotation of said framework members in pivoted assembly beyond a fully extended straightline position and to enable folding of said framework members into a closed position with the adjacent edges of corresponding sides and ends of the two members ush against each other throughout their lengths; a cross member near the end of one of the said framework members opposite to its pivoted end provided with a plurality of alternately spaced notches and projections; a cross member near the end of the other of the said framework members opposite to its pivoted end provided with a plurality of alternately spaced slots and circularly shaped holes in which said slots terminate, and projections; and a plurality of elastic bands positioned in the holes and around the projections of the last mentioned cross member.

3. The holder of claim 2 in which the cross member provided with a plurality of alternately spaced notches and projections is disposed with its transverse axis angularly of the longitudinal axis of the framework member, the sides of the framework members being of a width greater than the width of the hooks to be held therein and the cross members being respectively positioned within the sides of the framework members so as to provide, in open position, straight lines between such cross members falling in a plane approximating the plane of the center lines of the sides of the framework members, the pivot pin having a portion extending transversely of the framework members which has a selected offset from the plane of the center lines of the sides of the framework members and is of a size to provide a surface having a relatively large radius of curvature, the assembly being so adapted that in use the snelled hooks extend between the cross members in a generally straight line in open position, the pivot pin surface assuming a position offset therefrom on the side of closing rotation, with the snelled hooks in closed position extending over the pivot pin surface in doubled up fashion, in both positions as well as intermediate positions remaining well within the framework members and maintaining tension.

4. The holder of claim 2 in which the respective cross members and the pivot pin are positioned in cooperative relationship with each other and the framework members so as to secure snelled hooks between said framework members under tension such 'as will continue sulicient to firmly maintain the relative positions of the snelled hooks regardless of the relative positions of said framework members, and so that with the framework members in open position the hooks occupy positions within the space enclosed by the corresponding framework member in planes generally parallel to the planes of the internal surfaces of the sides of such framework member, and so that upon closure the hooks assume positions well within the space enclosed by the framework members together in planes generally perpendicular to the planes of the internal surfaces of the sides of the framework members.

5. The holder of claim 2 in which the arcuately shaped projections of the sides of each framework member are substantially half the thickness of the remainders of said sides and are so adapted as, in said pivoted assembly, to assume overlapping and abutting contact relationship with the corresponding arcuately shaped projections of the sides of the other framework member and to form in combination with each other and the remainders of the sides of the framework members continuous sides having continuous flush internal and external surfaces.

6. The holder of claim 5 in which the two open framework members are identical to each other so that in facing position for assembly one of the arcuately shaped projections of the first framework member overlaps the corresponding arcuately shaped projection of the second framework member externally, and the other arcuately shaped projection of the first framework member overlaps the corresponding arcuately shaped projection of the second framework member internally.

7. The holder of claim 5 in which the two open framework members are complementary to each other so that in facing position for assembly each of the larcuately shaped projections of one of the framework members overlaps the corresponding arcuately shaped projection of the other of the framework members externally.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 561,863 Brown June 9, 1896 639,454 Smith Dec. 19, 1899 828,915 Allen et al. Aug. 21, 1906 942,583 Neeld Dec. 7, 1909 1,793,980 Weinstein Feb. 24, 1931 2,130,112 Woolen Sept. 13, 1938 2,388,637 John Nov. 6, 1945 2,503,380 Derby Apr. 11, 1950 2,513,538 Williams July 4, 1950 2,568,089 Pendleton Sept. 18, 1951 2,624,973 Wilcox et a1 Ian. 13, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 592,547 France 1925 

